A two-vehicle collision on Alabama 20 near Florence, Alabama, left one man dead and another injured Wednesday afternoon.
According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the crash occurred near the 15-mile marker, about six miles west of Florence in Lauderdale County. Authorities reported that a 2003 Ford Ranger collided with a 2022 Freightliner Cascadia tractor-trailer. The pickup truck’s driver, a 55-year-old Florence man, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the semi-truck was injured and transported to North Alabama Medical Center for treatment. The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Highway Patrol Division.
When I hear about a fatal collision between a semi-truck and a passenger vehicle, I think about the critical questions that need to be answered about how the crash unfolded—especially regarding vehicle positioning, speed, and driver reaction. In my experience, getting to the truth in these cases depends on a thorough investigation that looks beyond initial assumptions.
Could Speed, Spacing, or Reaction Time Have Contributed to the Collision?
When semi-trucks are involved in crashes with smaller vehicles, one of the first things investigators should consider is whether the truck was traveling at a safe speed for the conditions. The size and weight of a commercial vehicle dramatically increase stopping distances, making timing and spacing critical.
Investigators will need to review whether the semi-truck’s speed and following distance were appropriate and whether the driver had a clear opportunity to avoid the collision.
Could Distraction or Fatigue Have Affected the Truck Driver’s Ability to Respond?
Driver alertness plays a significant role in crashes like this. Whether the truck driver was fully attentive, or whether fatigue or distraction impaired their ability to react in time, will be an important part of the investigation.
Electronic logging device (ELD) data, cell phone data, hours-of-service logs, and in-cab video should be reviewed to assess the driver’s condition at the time of the crash.
What Investigators Should Look At
To properly reconstruct this crash, investigators should collect the truck’s Engine Control Module (ECM) data, which can provide key insights into speed, braking, and throttle input leading up to the collision. Physical evidence from the crash scene, including vehicle positions, skid marks, and debris patterns, will also help clarify the sequence of events.
If footage exists from either vehicle or nearby traffic cameras, it may further support the timeline and show whether any evasive actions were attempted.
Why Answering These Questions Requires Thorough Investigation
From my experience, fatal crashes involving semi-trucks rarely come down to a single factor. They often involve a combination of driver behavior, vehicle performance, and timing. A thorough investigation is the only way to uncover the full story and provide answers for those affected.